About Us

Who We Are

Quinn is a lifestyle public relations agency with global impact. Our disciplined, strategic approach to PR has built some of the largest audiences in the world.

We develop creative strategies that build the reputations, tell the stories, and grow the businesses of lifestyle brands around the world. With offices in New York and Miami and affiliates worldwide, we serve clients in Travel, Real Estate, Spa, Experiences and Retail as well as many Food, Wine & Spirits brands.

We work collaboratively to develop narrative-based ideation, resulting in strategies that capture the attention of today's sophisticated consumer. We integrate multiple communication channels with partnerships, events and ideation to produce work that is highly effective—and measurable. Our innovative initiatives, which are recognized globally, have resulted in a number of industry "firsts."

We believe there is magic to be found at the intersection of creative thinking and value-driven strategies. Many of the world's most recognized brands believe as well. That’s why companies like the Waldorf Astoria, Guerlain Spa, and The Ritz Carlton Residences choose Quinn.

Leadership

Florence Quinn president + founder

Florence has nurtured and shaped Quinn into a strategic powerhouse of brand storytelling. Her near-clairvoyant ability to anticipate trends and cut to what is important has sparked some of the most effective PR ideas and campaigns of our time.

An artist at heart, Florence believes that great work has simplicity, inspiration and form. "Like the grid beneath a Jackson Pollack painting."

As a heavily decorated winner of nearly every award available to PR professionals, she coaches and inspires her team to find the best strategic and creative solutions then measure them against the client's brand and goals. Shark Tank-shark and business-mogul Barbara Corcoran agrees: “The amazing thing about Florence is that she’s an extremely creative individual, and on top of that she’s able to transfer that inspiration to the people who work with her so she's able to build a giant creative team. Do you know how unusual that is in the PR business?”

A Connecticut native, Florence keeps letters received from Katharine Hepburn while at Smith College in her office as a reminder to be an independent thinker. She resides in Westport with her son and two dogs.

John Frazier chief strategy officer

“Most big ideas have a kind of simplicity.” –John Frazier

As John facetiously puts it, he’s been in the PR business “longer than we need to discuss.” But it’s that experience that he has parlayed into an unparalleled skill set. Having directed the American leg of Tourism Queensland's "Best Job in the World," which has been called “the most successful tourism campaign in history,” John’s body of work is so vast and impressive that the 2012 book, Rethinking Reputation, How PR Trumps Marketing by Seitel and Doorley contains a chapter that is principally about John.

Keeping his door open—literally—allows him to help elevate his team to their greatest possible understanding and ability. His goal is to mentor new staff to successful independence. His broad knowledge and expertise have made him one of Quinn’s most client-pleasing and award-winning members of the staff. But it’s his respect for the well crafted campaign that makes him the best in the business. John lives in Manhattan with his partner and feisty cat and walks everywhere.

Allyns Melendez Chief operating officer

“If you are passionate, engaged and enjoy doing what you do, work isn’t difficult.” –Allyns Melendez

If Quinn was a ship, Allyns Melendez would be its helmsman. The multi-lingual, staff-proclaimed “office coach” is also the company’s highly capable and efficient driver, effectively setting the course for every one of its goals. She uses deliberate measurement to keep track of her own successes as well as those of the company. Overseeing all operational platforms, Allyns cultivates a culture that is professional, approachable and effective. When it comes to hiring, Allyns and her HR team are only interested in people who will make Quinn a better place.

Easily one of the most likeable people you will meet, Allyns says with her perpetually broad and engaging smile, “I enjoy working hard and I love spending time with my boys.” She keeps photos of her husband and three sons on her desk because family is everything. And for her, Quinn is family.

Morgan Painvin EVP

“I love a challenge. Give me a good roadblock any day." –Morgan Painvin

For Morgan, it’s all about hitting the bullseye of results. Her quiver of arrows is vast and varied —from strategic partnerships and micro-niche placements to national features and creative ideas. The award-winning campaigns that define her career speak directly to her client’s brand and goals. “While a big hit is thrilling,” says Morgan, “I’m more passionate about spiking traffic to the client’s website that drives revenue.” This is why Morgan has revamped the firm’s measurements and reporting system.

While we could easily forgive one so driven for being grumpy at times, Morgan is famous among us for her movie-star smile, cheerful disposition and ability to mentor. Staffers bloom into PR stars under her wing.

Style and grace follow Morgan to the South of France, where she goes every summer. Her fluency in French can be traced to her driven personality and the day she moved to Paris.

Morgan, her French husband Arthur and their two daughters live in Williamsburg.

Lara Berdine SVP

Director of Quinn’s Real Estate Group, Lara is a true industry insider. She translates her incomparable experience into guiding her team and helping them develop their own unique talents. Having headed PR departments with leading real estate firms such as Corcoran and Douglas Elliman, Lara is used to the fast-paced lifestyle that goes along with working in New York City real estate.

Lara’s long-term relationships with the media allow her to hone in on the right reporter for the right story and to get it nailed down quickly. Her daily objective is to work closely with every client, know what their business goals are and help them achieve them.

Lara lives in Brooklyn where she and her french bulldog Fredo go exploring.

Jim Lee SVP Miami

"Enjoy the lifestyle. Love what you do.” –Jim Lee

A lover of travel, luxury, fashion and food, Jim has grown the Miami office by fulfilling the needs of his ever-growing roster of luxury real-estate, lifestyle and hospitality clients. By telling their stories in Miami, NY, the U.S., Europe and Latin America, Jim and his team impact clients’ bottom lines while exceeding expectations. Jim’s secret weapon is that he brings a journalist's perspective to PR, having made his start as a Florida television reporter with a journalism degree.

Jim and his team work closely with Quinn in NYC as well as with the agency’s global affiliates. “The NYC-Miami connection is very powerful,” said Jim. Add to that the work of Quinn’s partners in Latin America, Europe and elsewhere, and life in the sunshine state is pretty good.

At his home in Miami Beach and around town, Jim entertains and hangs with colleagues, editors and industry friends. Jim creates partner, event and media opportunities with ease. “Enjoy the lifestyle and love what you do,” he says.

Kristie Deptula VP

“It isn’t called work when you love what you do.” –Kristie Deptula

Kristie, Quinn’s “quiet storm,” delivers results that leave us gasping. When she gets NYT front-page coverage, boldface brand partnerships and yet more business from her existing clients, we head to her office to touch her shoulder should a bit of her magic rub off.

Kristie’s even-tone is key to her strong relationships with clients and top journalists. Nearly clairvoyant, she gets things done before asked; “she sees around corners,” as one team member put it, traits which underscore her standing as the magician of PR.

Kristie’s team members flourish under her wing. Her calm makes them confident; while they love that she"sees and seizes the opportunity,” they say. “Always something new.” In addition to working in travel, Kristie is a catalyst in Food, Wine + Spirits. “The conversation around food and drink today is electric,” says Kristie.

When not busy in the kitchen, trying a new wine or scoping out the culinary scene, Kristie might be running along the East River or zipping into Barry’s Bootcamp.

Sandra Hurtado VP

“In the absence of news, we create it." –Sandra Hurtado

Sandra, a natural born leader, is confident and focused with a contagious can-do attitude. Because she embraces new areas and expands the boundaries of PR, Florence calls her "fierce and unafraid."

A master at understanding clients' goals, Sandra spits out strategy and ideas that drive business and differentiate brands. To her team Sandra is their "work mom," and they produce beautiful work, seemingly on cue.

Sandra's knowledge of aviation, hospitality, destinations, real estate, architecture, art and design, as well as luxury, make her a dynamic publicist.

Previously Sandra lived in Miami where she represented top real estate, architecture and cultural organizations.

When not traveling and relaxing on the UES, Sandra teaches job-training skills to women and young adults in need through the Junior League.

Vanessa Morin VP

"Creativity is intelligence having fun." –Albert Einstein

Vanessa – our iron lady – is serene while assertive. She stays calm under pressure and speaks her mind with clarity and grace. Clients seek out her strategic counsel, and her team thrives under her zen-like leadership. Vanessa’s enviable encyclopedic memory is a help to everyone.

Driven to deliver stellar results that advance client goals, Vanessa measures outcomes against ROI (return on investment). When a placement in Well + Good drives more business than a story in Vogue she pays attention. Vanessa has produced entire partnerships around achieving client revenue.

Vanessa is passionate about helping her team members grow and accomplish personal and professional visions. They, in turn, appreciate that their leader is approachable, smart and a positive problem-solver.

Vanessa is what we call a boomeranger, someone who comes back home to Quinn after a brief stint at another agency. (Boy, are we glad she did.)

A resident of Park Slope, Vanessa strengthens her core zen with yoga and replenishes her serenity in Prospect Park.

Tathiana Rosado VP Miami

“We are going to get this!” —Tathiana Rosado

Tathiana, who once worked with Versace, brings her NY edge and knowledge of style and luxury to her many South Florida real-estate and lifestyle clients. Tireless and optimistic, she keeps her focus on her their goals and is fond of saying: “We are going to get this!” And she does.

Tathiana realized her dream of living in Florida by moving from Quinn NYC to Miami, where she quickly became the go-to for real estate PR in one of the most active development cities in the world. Today, she works on some of the largest and most high-profile projects in Florida.

She delivers strategic partnerships and sought-after coverage in WSJ, NYT, FT, Bloomberg, and the Miami Herald with a smattering of hard-to-get coverage in Vogue, Elle and W from her fashion days. Fluent in Spanish from a childhood in the Dominican Republic, Tathiana also brokers stories in the Latin American media with ease.

This fashionista turned real-estate and lifestyle diva is a foodie at heart who enjoys discovering Miami’s ever-growing foodie and indie scene. Tathiana makes her home in Brickell, Miami’s fast-growing urban center, with her Amazon parrot Pancho.

Cassandra Small VP

Quinn staffers clamber to work for Cassie. No wonder she was the number one choice in our mentoring program. “Don’t be afraid to disagree,” advises Cassie who one day wants to teach PR because she loves it so much. (Hey Cassie, you are already doing that beautifully.)

To her clients Cassie is a leader who excels at strategy, securing partnerships and creating events while seeing stories others miss. When delivering communications plans, including digital and social media, her expectation to exceed goals.

Previously Cassie was managing director at Hundred Stories PR, where she worked with the founder on client accounts, business development and talent.

Cassie lives in Bergen County, “the greenest county in NJ,” with her husband and shih tzu, Luci. On weekends she hikes at Ramapo Reservation and can be found in the front row at Zumba classes. Cassie’s love of acting, singing and dancing shines through while she encourages all to “let their freak flag fly.”

Anna TabAkh VP

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel .” –Maya Angelou (a favorite quote of Anna's)

Anna brings a thirst for creativity that drives everything she touches. Her media placements are at the highest level, from Vogue to the TODAY Show. These kinds of results, coupled with her ability to launch award-winning campaigns, build integrated social media campaigns and secure strategic partnerships, have endeared Anna to clients, one of whom said: "I just wish we'd found you eight years ago."

A leader of boundless energy and optimism, Anna leads our Monday morning stretches and rallies her team with her inspirational aura. As compassionate as she is ambitious, Anna recently shared her 30 favorite inspirational quotes with a colleague who needed to have her soul brushed.

Anna’s route to Quinn via Moscow by way of Kansas City formed her taste for global adventure, a wanderlust that has taken her to 30 countries. Her latest adventure was a series of safaris across Southern Africa.

While our favorite Russian-speaking leader lives on the Upper East Side, she can be found biking everywhere while wearing her signature hair bow.

Elizabeth Walden VP

Elizabeth is an eternally curious leader. Her hunger for knowledge, new ideas and answers to hard questions defines her every move at Quinn, where she scrupulously tackles any challenge put before her. Known for never giving up, Elizabeth puts her team, clients and the media first, making it her duty to serve each with clear and effective action.

Poised and laser focused when it comes to client strategy and achieving impossible placements, Elizabeth conquers them all – business goals, cover stories, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg and Forbes, to name a few. There are few Business, Real Estate and Lifestyle columns she has yet to master.

Elizabeth is just as passionate when it comes to nurturing her growing team. Their personal and professional growth motivates her beyond all else. They describe her as “smart, accommodating, encouraging and SUPPORTIVE.”

Raised in Connecticut, where she often spends time with family and loved ones, Elizabeth resides on the Upper East Side, where she can be found petting every dog in her neighborhood.

Clients

We build audiences for some of the world's most recognized lifestyle brands.